Health care sock

ABSTRACT

The present invention discloses a health care sock having an interior cavity for receiving a human foot through an opening portion, comprising an outer layer conforming to the shape of the foot, a toe portion, a heel portion and a base adjacent to the outer layer and conforms to the sole of the foot in order for the sole to rest onto the base.

This application claims priority to the Malaysian Patent Application No.PI 2014702871 filed on Sep. 30, 2014, the content of which is fullyincorporated by reference herein.

The present invention relates to daily necessities. More particularly,the present invention relates to a foot care product. Most particular,the present invention relates to a health care sock, which helpsprotects the foot of a user, improves the comfort level of a user andhaving anti-slip function for protecting the foot.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Starting in the 1980's and continuing to the present, significantadvances in fiber technology have been applied to the sock industry,resulting in a wider variety of socks made for specialized use. Whateverthe situation—whether it is running, camping, relaxing at home, orwaiting out a long business meeting, donning a sock made withconsideration of the movement and properties of the foot makes anastounding difference to overall comfort. Below is a general list ofsock materials and their respective qualities.

Antimicrobial socks are treated with an agent that forms a molecularbond to the fibers themselves, acting as a barrier between the socks andthe microorganisms attempting to land on them. These non-leachingantimicrobial agents reduce foot odor by impeding mold and mildew, andprolong the life of the sock by preventing excess bacteria fromcompromising the integrity of the fabric.

Acrylic fibers and yarns are generally characterized by their durabilityand their hydrophobic quality: unlike cotton socks, acrylic socks wickmoisture away from the foot and reduces the risk of blisters. For thisreason, acrylic socks are highly recommended for any athletic enterprisewhere shear force on the foot causes rubbing and possible irritation.Because acrylic socks do not absorb perspiration, they are naturallysterile and easy to clean without bleach. While some acrylics are moreexclusive than others, all of the acrylic socks on TopSocks are wovenwith special attention to yarn quality and durability.

Bamboo's natural flexibility, softness, and lightness gave way to anecologically-friendly fiber with astounding properties for the sockindustry. The natural anti-bacterial and antiperspirant elements thatallow Bamboo to proliferate in hot Asiatic climates translate intohighly-durable socks that keep feet dry and hygienic. Recommendedyear-round for a variety of activities, these are exceedingly soft,comfortable socks, cool in the summer, and, as they are 100%biodegradable, they are as helpful to the environment as they are to thefoot.

Cashmere speaks to the ultimate luxury in wool socks. These areindulgently soft, and can be appropriate for any climate, although theyare especially useful in the winter due to their high moisture contentand capacity for insulation.

Coolmax® is the quintessential fiber for athletic socks due to itssuperior wicking ability. The revolutionary brand from Invista is softto the touch, and constructed with four channel cross-sectioning thatmoves perspiration away from the body to the outer surface of thefabric, where it evaporates before dampening the clothes. CoolMax®garments are breathable, lightweight, and preferred by top athletesaround the world.

Cotton has been a material used in most casual and formal socks inrecent history. Cotton socks are comfortable, have good stretch, andabsorb moisture from the foot. Many high-quality socks are made withtreated mercerized cotton to encourage an even softer texture and richercolors during the dyeing process.

Holofiber®, a revolutionary innovation which has proved through clinicaltesting to improve circulation and oxygenation by 10 to 18%, works byconverting certain wavelengths of visible and invisible light intoenergy. This altered light energy, transmitted through the sock and intothe skin, serves to oxygenate the body, and can improve the comfort andperformance of athletes, speed the healing of ulcers, and ease pain fromtired feet. Because Holofiber® is a responsive textile, some people havenoted a warming or tingling sensation when wearing Holofiber® socks.This sensation indicates blood flow engaging the foot, and subsides whenthe body returns to a natural state of equilibrium. Socks withHolofiber® are especially useful for diabetics and those with ailmentsaffecting the circulatory system.

Lycra® is the most popular form of stretch fiber, or spandex. Anextremely versatile fabric, it dries quickly, retains its shape, andremains soft as it compresses the skin without restricting blood flow.Lycra® is an essential material that enables many socks to fit snuglyand comfortably to the foot, and when strategically placed, can helprelieve venous insufficiency and blood clotting in the feet and legs.

Merino Wool, the most highly-regarded wool used for socks, has thecapacity to simultaneously wick moisture away from the foot while itsinherent 8% moisture content moisturizes dry or cracked skin. BecauseMerino Wool is hypoallergenic, breathable, resilient, and wicks moistureeven when damp, it is especially beneficial in socks worn in coldweather and outdoor winter activities.

Like other silk products, silk socks are lightweight with a smooth, softtexture that feels remarkable on the skin. Although silk is anincredibly strong natural fiber, silk socks are thin—often uses as sockliners—and they lose considerable strength when wet. Silk is utilizedmost often in formal footwear.

Thermax is a wicking polyester with a hollow core that traps air aroundthe body and provides extra insulation, even when wet. Thermax is usedin premium outdoor sport and ski performance socks.

Thanks to state-of-the-art fiber technology and construction techniques,modern socks have evolved into high-tech sports equipment with possiblemedical applications. Blisters, foot swelling, toenail damage, andpediatric bacteria have been the most pervasive afflictions compromisingathletes' performance. All of these ailments are caused by the toll ofshear force absorbed into skin when running, jumping, and pivoting, andall are exacerbated by cotton socks.

Because cotton retains rather than repels moisture, when cotton socksabsorb sweat during exercise they swell, bunch, wrinkle, becomeless-breathable, and cause irregular friction that leads to blisters andfoot bacteria. However, socks made from hydrophobic fibers, and whichare constructed in a cross-sectional geometry, wick moisture away fromthe foot and encourage evaporation. In multiple studies cotton has beenproven to absorb three times more moisture than acrylic, and fourteentimes more moisture than CoolMax®. Once wet, cotton swells up to 45% andwool swells up to 35%, while acrylic fibers swell less than 5%. Inranking order, fibers that wick moisture away from the foot best are:

1—CoolMax® 2—Acrylic 3—Polypropylene 4—Wool 5—Cotton

In view of the above, it is advantageous to provide a health sockcomprising a combination of cotton, nylon and silicon, which helpsprotects the foot of a user, improves the comfort level of a user andhaving anti-slip function for protecting the foot.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to overcome at least one of the above drawbacks of the priorart, the present invention aims to provide a health care sock.

To achieve the above purpose, the present invention provides a healthcare sock having an interior cavity for receiving a human foot throughan opening portion, comprising:

-   -   an outer layer conforming to the shape of the human foot;    -   a toe portion;    -   a heel portion; and    -   a base adjacent to the outer layer and conforms to the sole of        the foot in order for the sole to rest onto the base.

In an embodiment, the circumference outlining the opening portioncomprises a first elastic member in order to facilitate the openingportion to receive the foot.

In another embodiment, the interior cavity of the sock receives thehuman foot therein, which leaves a portion of the leg above the healportion to be exposed. Preferably, a second elastic member is attachedto a portion at the circumference of the opening containing the firstelastic member in order to surround the leg, hence holding the sock fromslipping outside the foot. In this worn position, the space between theheel portion and the second elastic member is not covered by the sock

In also another embodiment, the toe portion includes a big toe portionand a general toe portion in order to separate the big toe and remainingtoes of the human foot when the sock is worn.

In yet another embodiment, the base comprises an inner base layer, amiddle base layer and an outer base layer. The middle base layerincludes a gel layer positioned adjacent to the inner base layer andextends around an interior of such inner base layer. Preferably, the gellayer is a silicon gel layer.

In another embodiment, the bottom portion of the outer base layer isaffixed with deformable members. Preferably, the deformable members arepositioned directly on the bottom portion of the outer base layer,conforming to the length of the sole. With this configuration, thedeformable members are in direct contact with the interior surface ofthe sole of the foot.

Preferably, the deformable members are a plurality of silicone padsaffixed to the bottom portion of the outer base layer, which is an areacorresponding to the sole of the human foot. On the other hand, thedeformable members are in direct contact with the interior surface ofthe sole of a shoe when the sock is in use. The silicone pads aresuitably deformable to provide a more gradual conforming of the sock tothe contour of the human foot.

It is an advantage of the present invention to provide a health caresock that is comfortable in wearing and having non-slip property. Thepair of socks has the characteristics of comfortability in wearing andwear resistance, good sweat absorption effect, anti-slip effect andcapability of improving skin and heal cracked feet effect.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view illustrating the sock as applied to ahuman foot, according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view illustrating the sock as applied to ahuman foot, according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the toe portion of the sock, according tothe present invention;

FIG. 4 is a diagram of the sock showing its base layers, as applied to ahuman foot;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the base layers of the sock, accordingto the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an outer layer of one of the baselayers of the sock, according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, the health care sock 100 of the present inventionis applied to a human foot 102. The sock 100 according to this preferredembodiment is illustrated as having an outer layer 104 generallyconforming to the shape of the human foot 102. The sock 100 comprises atoe portion 106, a heel portion 108 and a base 110. The sock 100 of thepresent invention has an interior cavity suitable for receiving thehuman foot 102 therein. Leg 112 will extend upwardly and outwardly ofthe sock 100. The sock 100 will be attached to the human foot in themanner of a conventional sock. The top of the body of the sock 100 isprovided with an elastic rubber band 114 in order to facilitate theopening portion 116 when worn and the top of the socks after wearingtightening, so easy to slip the socks and enhances the wearing comfort.In an embodiment, the elastic rubber band 114 is contained in thecircumference outlining the opening portion 116 in order to facilitatethe opening portion 116 to receive the foot 102 and enhances wearingcomfort.

FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the sock 100 of the presentinvention, when applied to a human foot 102. The sock according to thisembodiment can be specially designed and advantageously used by Muslimmen during Hajj & Omrah sessions in accordance with the rules andregulations of Muslim men's cloths during performing those twoactivities within a certain period of time.

In this embodiment, the interior cavity of the sock 100 receives thehuman foot 102 therein, which leaves the foot above the heal portion 108to be exposed. An additional rubber band 128 is attached to a portion atthe circumference of the opening 116 containing the rubber band 114 inorder to surround the leg 112, hence holding the sock 100 from slippingoutside the foot 102. In this worn position, the space between the heelportion 108 and the rubber band 128 is not covered by the sock 100.

The sock 100 will be attached to the human foot 102 in this manner ofwhich is in accordance with Muslim rules and regulation, which statesthat the portion of the Muslim man's foot should not be covered duringperforming Hajj or Omrah, which is the back side of the foot above theheal.

As shown in FIG. 3, the toe portion 106 includes a big toe portion 118and a general toe portion 120. When the interior cavity receives thehuman foot 102, the big toe portion 118 receives the big toe of thefoot, while the general toe portion 120 receives the remaining toes ofthe human foot 102. With this, the big toe and remaining toes of thehuman foot are separated when the sock is worn.

Referring to FIG. 4, the outer layer 104 of the sock has a generallyoval shape and conforms to the cross-sectional shape of the human foot102. The base 110 is positioned adjacent to the outer layer 104 andconforms to the sole 130 of the foot 102 in order for the sole 130 ofthe foot 102 to rest comfortably onto the base 110. The base 110comprises three layers namely inner base layer 122, middle base layer124 and outer base layer 126.

Also referring to FIG. 4, the inner base layer 122 is positionedadjacent to the sock outer layer 104 and extends at a predeterminedlength around an interior of the outer layer 104, so as to conform tothe sole 130 of the foot 102. The middle base layer 124 is positionedadjacent to the inner base layer 122 and extends around an interior ofsuch inner base layer 122. Outer base layer 126 is positioned adjacentto the middle base layer 124 and extends around an interior of themiddle base layer 124.

FIG. 5 shows the base layer of the sock 100 comprising three (3) layers,namely inner base layer 122, middle base layer 124 and outer base layer126. In a preferred embodiment, the middle base layer 124 includes a gellayer 134 positioned adjacent to the inner base layer 122 and extendsaround an interior of such inner base layer 122. Preferably, the gellayer 134 is a silicon gel layer. Referring to FIG. 6, the bottomportion of the outer base layer 126 is affixed with deformable members132. The deformable members 132 are positioned directly on the bottomportion of the outer base layer 126, conforming to the length of thesole 130. With this configuration, the deformable members 132 are indirect contact with the interior surface of the sole of a shoe.

In a preferred embodiment, the deformable members 132 are a plurality ofsilicone pads affixed to the bottom portion of the outer base layer 126,which is an area corresponding to the sole 130 of the human foot. On theother hand, the deformable members 132 are in direct contact with theinterior surface of the sole of a shoe when the sock is in use, Thesilicone pads 132 are suitably deformable to provide a more gradualconforming of the sock to the contour of the human foot 102. Hence, thepresent invention provides a sock 100 and shoe/sole 130 lining thatsuitable conforms to the contours of the human foot 102. Within theconcept of the present invention, various silicone pads 132 can beplaced in the position as shown in FIG. 6.

It is an advantage of the present invention to provide a sock 100 iscapable of having anti-slip property. The anti-slip property iscontributed by the gel layer 134 together with the inner base layer 122,which sticks with the foot to give the ability of anti-slip which ispart of the property of the gel.

It is another advantage of the present invention to provide a sock 100that is comfortable to be worn. The comfort for the foot is contributedby the gel layer 134, which acts as a soft carpet base, hence providingcomfort during walking and long standing, as compared to a conventionalsock.

It is also another advantage of the present invention to provide a sockhaving good sweat absorption effect. The sweat absorption property iscontributed by the preferred sock fabric composition of the presentinvention comprising cotton 76.7%, polyester 21.3%, and elastane 2.0%,which result in moisture regain of 8.5% for cotton and 1.5% for bothpolyester and elastane. This is in accordance with European regulationEU 1007/2011, that provides comfortable sweat absorption effect to thefoot.

It is a further advantage of the present invention to provide a sock 100that is capable of improving skin and heal cracked feet effect. Thisproperty is contributed by the combination of both gel layer 134,together with the inner base layer 122, and the sock fabrics 100, whichprotect the foot from heal crack. The heal 108 and the skin of thebottom portion of the foot 102 is surrounded with the gel layer whenworn, which gives the skin and the heal 108 a comfortable zone andprotects it from crack, as well as percentage of the regain of moisturethat softens the skin.

It is yet another advantage of the present invention to provide a sock100 having a big toe portion 118 and a general toe portion 120 whichallows separation of the big toe from the remaining small toes. Thisseparation allows the sock to be rigid and will not tilt, giving theuser a comfortable feeling, and also allows the user to wear either anormal shoe or an open sandal (used mainly in Gulf countries and someother countries)

It is another advantage of the present invention to provide a sock 100that leaves a certain part of the leg to be exposed, i.e. between theheel portion 108 and the rubber band 128. This allows the sock 100 to besuitably worn by men during Hajj and/or Omrah, which is also incompliance with the Muslim rules and regulation, which states that theportion of the Muslim man's foot should not be covered during performingHajj or Omrah, which is the back side of the foot above the heal.

The foregoing description of the present invention is for the purpose ofillustration and explanation. Various changes in the details of theconstruction can be made within the scope of the claims withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention.

1. A health care sock having an interior cavity for receiving a humanfoot through an opening, wherein the sock comprising: an outer layerconforming to the shape of the human foot; a toe portion; a heelportion; and a base adjacent to the outer layer and conforms to the soleof the foot in order for the sole to rest onto the base.
 2. A healthcare sock according to claim 1, wherein the circumference outlining theopening comprises a first elastic member in order to facilitate theopening to receive the foot.
 3. A health care sock according to claim 1,wherein the interior cavity of the sock receives the human foot therein,which leaves a portion of the leg above the heal portion to be exposed.4. A health care sock according to claim 1, further comprising a secondelastic member attached at a position relative to the circumference ofthe opening containing the elastic member, thus surrounding the leg andholding the sock from slipping outside the foot.
 5. A health care sockaccording to claim 1, wherein the toe portion includes a big toe portionand a general toe portion in order to separate the big toe and remainingtoes of the human foot when the sock is worn.
 6. A health care sockaccording to claim 1, wherein the base comprises an inner base layer, amiddle base layer and an outer base layer.
 7. A health care sockaccording to claim 6, wherein the middle base layer includes a gel layerpositioned adjacent to the inner base layer and extends around aninterior of the inner base layer.
 8. A health care sock according toclaim 6, wherein the gel layer is a silicon gel layer.
 9. A health caresock according to claim 6, wherein the bottom portion of the outer baselayer is affixed with deformable members, the deformable members are indirect contact with the interior surface of the sole.
 10. A health caresock according to claim 9, wherein the deformable members are aplurality of silicone pads that conforms the sock to the contour of thefoot.